Hematopoietic stem cell proliferation regulators and polynucleotides encoding the same

ABSTRACT

By analyzing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation regulators produced by stroma cells, a cDNA library is constructed and novel hematopoiesis-associated genes are isolated. Genes encoding the proteins as specified in the following (a) or (b): (a) having an amino acid sequence represented by one of SEQ ID NOS selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID NOS: 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12; or (b) having an amino acid sequence derived from the amino acid sequence as defined in the above (a) by deletion, substitution or addition of one to several amino acids and having an activity of regulation hematopoietic stem cell proliferation.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to a novel hematopoietic stem cell proliferation regulators produced by a bone marrow stromal cell which is considered to form a hematopoietic microenvironment (niche) and regulate the proliferation and the differentiation of hematopoietic stem cells or hematopoietic precursor cells via hematopoietic factors and adhesion molecules, as well as a gene (polynucleotide) encoding the same.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Hematopoietic stem cells present in a bone marrow, and mesencymal stem cells serve to maintain an adult body life by being differentiated over their entire life span into respective blood cells, bones, cartilages, fat cells and the like the supply of which is done by them continuously. Recently, these tissue-specific stem cells were reported to be capable of being differentiated also into the cells of multiple organs (nerve, liver, lung, intestinal tracts, cardiac muscles, muscles and the like) under a certain condition, and it is considered to be very important to understand their proliferation mechanisms also in view of the application to a transplantation therapy and a regenerative medicine.

[0003] A large number of attempts have been made heretofore to accomplish an in vitro amplification of a hematopoietic stem cell, and some of them were successful to some extent. In bone marrow stromal cells as considered to form a hematopoietic microenvironment (niche) and regulate proliferation and differentiation of hematopoietic precursor cells via hematopoietic factors and an adhesion molecules. Those reported as the hematopoietic factors produced by the stromal cell are cytokines such as IL-3 and IL-6, SCF, receptor-type tyrosine kinase ligands such as an Flt-3 ligand (Gibson, F. M. et al., Br J Haematol 1995), a differentiation-inhibiting factor Notch ligand jagged-1 (Varnum-Finney, B. et al., Blood 1998).

[0004] However, most of the membrane-binding factors and adhesion molecules required for the hematopoiesis described above are considered to be unidentified. While it is impossible to culture a hematopoietic stem cell for a prolonged period only by combining currently known factors with each other, such a culture is possible for a certain time period in the presence of stromal cells which are hematopoiesis-supporting cells, suggesting that the stromal cells may express hematopoiesis-related proteins which have not been identified.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Accordingly, an objective of the invention is to solve the above-mentioned problems by analyzing hematopoietic cell proliferation-regulating factors produced by stromal cells, constructing a cDNA library and isolating novel hematopoiesis-related genes whereby enabling a future application to an in vitro amplification of the hematopoietic stem cells, a transplantation therapy against hematopoietic malignancies regenerative therapy care using stem cells and a gene therapy.

[0006] We made an effort to accomplish the above-mentioned objective and finally discovered, in a bone marrow stromal cells, novel genes encoding proteins having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity, whereby establishing the invention.

[0007] Thus, the invention relates to a gene encoding a protein (a) or (b):

[0008] (a) an amino acid sequence represented by one SEQ ID No. selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12,

[0009] (b) a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which consists of an amino acid sequence formed as a result of a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence (a).

[0010] The invention also relates to a gene comprising a DNA (a) or (b):

[0011] (a) a DNA consisting of the base sequence represented by one SEQ ID No. selected from the group consisting of SEQ ID Nos. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11,

[0012] (b) a DNA encoding a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which hybridizes under a stringent condition with a DNA consisting of the base sequence (a).

[0013] As used herein, the term “hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity” includes an ability of amplifying or increasing the proliferation of a hematopoietic stem cell and an ability of rather inhibiting the proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cell, and means any function for exerting some effect on the proliferation of the hematopoietic stem cell. The term “hematopoietic stem cell” means not only a hematopoietic stem cell in its narrow sense but also myelocytic, erythroblastic, megakaryocytic and lymphocytic precursor cells which have been differentiated once and can be detected for example in the Cobblestone area forming cell (CAFC) described below.

[0014] The invention also relates to a protein encoded by such a gene or DNA. Since the 6 proteins which have been identified for the first time by the invention are derived from a stromal cell and each have a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity as shown in Examples described below, they are designated as SDHF (Stromal cell Derived Hematopoietic Factor)-1, SDHF-2, SDHF-3, SDHF-4, SDHF-5 and SDHF-6. The base sequences encoding these proteins and the corresponding amino acid sequences are represented by SEQ ID Nos. 1 and 2, SEQ ID Nos. 3 and 4, SEQ ID Nos. 5 and 6, SEQ ID Nos. 7 and 8, SEQ ID Nos. 9 and 10 and SEQ ID Nos. 11 and 12.

[0015] The invention further relates to a recombinant expression vehicle comprising at least any one of the genes described above, a transformant obtained by the transformation with said expression vehicle, and a method for producing any of the proteins described above comprising the culture of said transformant.

[0016] The invention further relates to a method for regulating the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity of a stromal cell comprising the transformation of said stromal cell with at least any one of the genes described above. In said transformed stromal cell, a gene of the invention is expressed and its hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity results in an amplification or increase or reduction in the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity of said stromal cell. The transformation can be conducted for example by a method known to those skilled in the art using a recombinant expression vehicle described above.

[0017] The base sequence encoding the amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 13 has already been reported (1999, Genomics 61 (1), pp37-43), and referred to as an ISLR whose function has never been known heretofore, but it has proven by us for the first time here to have a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity as shown in the EXAMPLES described below.

[0018] Accordingly, the invention relates to a method for modifying the hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity of a stromal cell consisting of a transformation of said stromal cell with a gene encoding a protein (a) or (b) (a) an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 13, (b) a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which consists of an amino acid sequence formed as a result of a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence (a). The transformation can be conducted for example by a method known to those skilled in the art using a recombinant expression vehicle described above.

[0019] The invention further relates to a composition for regulating a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation comprising as an active ingredient at least one protein selected from SDHF-1 to SDHF-6 and ISLR described above.

[0020] As used herein the term “hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity” means a function for exerting some effect on the proliferation of a hematopoietic stem cell, and the term “regulation” means any change in said activity such as an amplification or increase, or rather inhibition and the like.

[0021] The invention further relates to various antibodies such as polyclonal antibodies and monoclonal antibodies directed to respective proteins according to the invention such as SDHF-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6 described above.

[0022]FIG. 23 shows schematic views of the molecular structures of SDHF-1 to SDHF-6 according to the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0023]FIG. 1 shows the amino acid sequence of SDHF-1.

[0024]FIG. 2 shows the amino acid sequence of SDHF-2.

[0025]FIG. 3 shows the amino acid sequence of SDHF-3.

[0026]FIG. 4 shows the amino acid sequence of SDHF-4.

[0027]FIG. 5 shows the amino acid sequence of SDHF-5.

[0028]FIG. 6 shows the amino acid sequence of SDHF-6.

[0029]FIG. 7 shows the results obtained by a micro array method.

[0030]FIG. 8 shows the results obtained by a northern blotting.

[0031]FIG. 9 shows the results obtained by a western analysis.

[0032]FIG. 10 shows the results obtained by an immunostaining method.

[0033]FIG. 11 shows the results of a CAFC analysis.

[0034]FIG. 12 shows the results of the post-translational modification of the proteins of genes SDHF-1 and SDHF-5 of the invention detected by the western analysis. The symbol “

” indicates a mature protein whose molecular weight became larger as a result of the addition of a sugar chain, the symbol “▴” indicates a protein on the way of the production before the addition of the sugar chain, the symbol “▾” indicates a residual protein after a cleavage, and the symbol “” indicates a secretory protein.

[0035]FIG. 13 shows the results of the detection by the methionine labeling of a secretory protein in a cell culture supernatant. The symbol “” indicates a secretory protein, and “→” indicates a protein secreted in the culture supernatant after a cleavage.

[0036]FIG. 14 shows a photograph of the electrophoresis showing the results of the assay of the expression site of a gene of the invention by an RT-PCR method.

[0037]FIG. 15 shows the results of an assay of the stem cell-supporting function of a gene of the invention by an LTC-IC method.

[0038]FIG. 16 shows a photograph of the electrophoresis of an SDHF-4 extracellular region/recombinant protein as being purified by a protein A column.

[0039]FIG. 17 is a graph showing that the SDHF-4 extracellular region/recombinant protein has an ability of maintaining the non-differentiated condition of a mouse hematopoietic stem cell.

[0040]FIG. 18 shows a microscopic photograph (magnification: ×40) showing that SDHF-6, when expressed highly in an OP9 cell using a retrovirus expression vector pMX-puro, has an ability of inducing the differentiation into a fat cell efficiently after about four-week culture.

[0041]FIG. 19 shows a photograph of a western analysis showing the results of the experiment in which an antibody directed to a partial peptide of SDHF-4 was employed to allow SDHF-4 to be expressed in a CHO-k1 cell using a pSSRα-bsr vector.

[0042]FIG. 20 shows the results of a FACS calibur (Becton Dickinson) analysis of a CHO-k1 cell allowed to express SDHF-4 after labelling the purified antibody described above with FITC.

[0043]FIG. 21 shows the results of a sorting of a cell expressing SDHF-4 using a FACS Vantage (Becton Dickinson) after staining a myelocyte of a C57BL/6J mouse using the same antibody.

[0044]FIG. 22 shows a microscopic photograph of the above-mentioned cell selected by the sorting (magnification: ×200).

[0045]FIG. 23 shows a schematic view of the molecular structures of SDHF-1 to SDHF-6.

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

[0046] A gene or DNA of the invention can be prepared for example by a method shown in the EXAMPLES described below based on a cDNA library prepared from an mRNA derived from a stromal cell such as a mouse stromal cell line OP9 which has been stimulated by a leukemia-inhibiting factor (LIF) during culture.

[0047] Alternatively, it can be prepared also by a chemical synthesis using a procedure known in the art based on the sequence information disclosed in this specification. Those skilled in the art may accomplish the deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids in a certain amino acid sequence by means of a method known per se in the art.

[0048] In the invention, a specific gene or DNA can be hybridized under a stringent condition with regard to various parameters such as salt concentrations at a suitable temperature in a buffer solution known to those skilled in the art.

[0049] An example of the DNA which hybridizes under such a stringent condition with a gene or DNA of the invention and which encodes a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity is a DNA whose homology with such a gene is 70% or more, preferably 90% or more.

[0050] A DNA obtained by binding a gene or DNA of the invention appropriately to any of various sequences known to those skilled in the art in a gene recombination procedure such as regulatory factors including promoters and enhancers, restricted enzyme sites, selection marker (marker enzyme) gene and the like is also encompassed by the invention.

[0051] An expression vehicle such as a recombinant plasmid vector having a gene, DNA or a DNA molecule of the invention described above or a recombinant virus vector employing a retrovirus and the like, and a transformant of a microorganism such as Escherichia coli and an eukaryotic cell such as a mouse COS-7 cell or a mouse stromal cell OP9, which contains such an expression vehicle and has thus been transformed, are also encompassed by the invention. These DNA molecules, expression vehicles and transformants can readily be prepared by a method known in the art. In addition, a protein of the invention can be readily produced by those skilled in the art by culturing an above-mentioned transformant by a known method and purifying the culture product.

[0052] A hematopoietic stem cell proliferation regulation activating composition of the invention comprising a protein described above as an active ingredient may also contain, as appropriate, other cytokines known as hematopoietic factors, as well as suitable carriers and auxiliary agents known in the art. The amounts and the ratios of the protein of the invention as an active ingredient and other components may be selected by those skilled in the art depending on the purpose of use.

[0053] The antibodies such as polyclonal and monoclonal antibodies of the invention directed to the respective proteins of the invention such as SDHF-1, -2, -3, -4, -5 and -6 can be produced by any known method. For example, a polyclonal antibody can readily be produced by inoculating each protein described above or its partial peptide as an immunogen to any experimental animal such as a rabbit. A monoclonal antibody can readily be obtained by subjecting an antibody-producing cell prepared similarly using such an immunogen to a cell fusion with a suitable parent cell (immortalized cell line) by a method known in the art to yield a hybridoma followed by screening the hybridoma for a clone which reacts specifically with each protein. The partial peptide corresponds to any partial amino acid sequence in the respective protein, and the number of the amino acids is not limited particularly but preferably is at least 10, and usually is within the range from 10 to 20. In view of the reactivity with each protein, it is preferable to select a partial peptide employed as an immunogen from the extracellular region of the respective protein.

[0054] Such an antibody can be used in a procedure for isolating or purifying various adult cells such as bone marrow stem cells, mesencymal stem cells and nervous stem cell as well as stem cell-supporting cells (stromal cells) such as a bone marrow hematopoiesis-supporting cells. Such an isolation or purification may be conducted by various means known to those skilled in the art, such as an affinity column purification or a FACS sorting.

EXAMPLES

[0055] The invention is further described referring to the following EXAMPLES, which are not intended to restrict the technical scope of the invention.

[0056] cDNA Library Construction and Signal Sequence Trap (SST) Method

[0057] A mouse stromal cell line OP9 is incubated in Alpha-MEM medium supplemented with 20% fetal bovine serum. APLAT-E cell (2000, Morita et al., Gene Therapy vol. 7, 1063-6) was incubated in DMEM supplemented with 10% fetal bovine serum. The extraction of polyA RNA from the OP9 cell was conducted using an Invitrogen FAST TRACK 2.0 mRNA Isolation Kit in accordance with the protocol attached thereto. As a starting material for a cDNA library, 5 μg of polyA RNA extracted from 1×10⁸ OP9 cells stimulated for 60 minutes at 37° C. with 10 ng/ml of mouse leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) was employed. The cDNA library was constructed using a SUPERSCRIPT II (Invitrogen) using random hexamers as primers. The resultant cDNA library was combined with a BstXI adapter primer (Invitrogen) and integrated into the BstXI site of a retrovirus vector pMX-SST vector (1999, Kojima et al., Nat Biotech vol. 17, p. 487) to construct a plasmid library.

[0058] The cDNA library obtained was introduced into a PLAT-E cell using FuGene 6 (Roche), and then recovered in the form of a retrovirus in the supernatant. The resultant retrovirus cDNA library was infected to a Ba/F3 cell which is an interleukin 3 (IL-3)-dependent mouse pro-B cell. The pMX-SST vector has a signal peptide-deficient constantly activated c-Mp1 gene, and the cmp1 gene is activated when a library-derived gene has a signal peptide and consequently the Ba/F3 cell is immortalized in the absence of IL-3 (1999, Kojima et al., Nat Biotech vol. 17, p. 487-90). The retrovirus library-infected Ba/F3 cell was deprived of IL-3, and incubated in a 96-well plate at the density of 1000 cell/well, and then the proliferated cells were isolated and the genome DNA was extracted. Since a signal peptide-carrying gene has been inserted into the genome DNA of the Ba/F3 cell via the retrovirus, it was recovered by a genome DNA PCR (LA-Taq, TAKARA, 98° C. for 20 sec. 68° C. for 300 sec.: 35 cycles) using the primers (GGGGGTGGACCATCCTCTA, CGCGCAGCTGTAAACGGTAG) designed based on the sequence of the pMX-SST vector.

[0059] Gene Sequencing

[0060] Since a signal peptide-carrying clone was obtained as a DNA fragment by the PCR described above, its DNA sequence was determined using an ABI 373A sequencer. The resultant PCR fragment was purified by a PCR purification kit (Quiagen) to be deplete the primers, and the sequences were determined by a dye termination method in accordance with the protocol by ABI. The resultant sequence information was analyzed by an NCBI BLAST program (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/BLAST/) whereby judging whether the sequences were known or unknown. A part of an unknown sequence was determined by a 3′ RACE method using primers designed based on the sequences obtained. The 3′ RACE method is a strategy for identifying an unknown gene to the extent of the polyA region by a PCR method using the primers designed on the basis of the above-mentioned PCR clone sequences as well as oligo dT primers. The DNA sequence of any resultant PCR fragment was determined as described above using an ABI 373A sequencer.

[0061] As a result, the genes of 234 clones in total including known and unknown ones were isolated by the SST method described above. They included 181 known genes, 42 unknown genes and 11 genes which could not be analyzed. The known genes included 49 proliferation factors, 23 receptors, 71 adhesion molecules and 38 others.

[0062] Among the unknown genes, 6 SDHF (stromal cell derived hematopoietic factor) genes of the invention and ISLR were included. As shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 and in SEQ ID No. 13, the N terminal of the amino acid sequence encoded by 6 SDHF and ISLR genes contained a signal peptide (region surrounded by a rectangular frame). The results obtained as described above are summarized in Table 1 and Table 2. TABLE 1 SDF-1-alpha 27 ISLR (immunoglobulin superfamily containing leucine-rich repeat) 11 ADAMTS-1 (secretory protein, metalloprotease) 10 SDHF-1 7 collagen a1(V) 7 Fractalkine 7 amyloid beta protein precursor 6 collagen alpha1 (VI) 6 gp130 6 thrombospondin 1 6 CCK4 (RTK), homologue 5 collagen, alpha-2 collagen VI 5 collagen, pro-alpha1 (II) collagen chain 5 fibronectin 5 SPARC-related protein (SRG) 5 syndecan 5 amyloid precursor-like protein 2 4 BiP, immunoglobulin heavy chain binding protein 4 insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 4 interleukin 1 receptor accessory protein. 4 protein disulfide isomerase (ERp59) 4 Cyr61, CTGF, IGFBP10 3 lysyl oxidase (Lox) 3 SDHF-2 2 collagen, alpha-2 type IV collagen 2 collagen, pro-alpha-2(I) collagen 2 collagenase, type IV collagenase 2 osteopontin 2 P2B/LAMP-1 2 PDGFR beta 2 vimentin 2 SDHF-3 1 SDHF-4 1 SDHF-5 1 SDHF-6 1 SDHF-7 1 SDHF-8 1

[0063] TABLE 2 Unknown clones ISLR 11 SDHF-1 7 SDHF-2 2 SDHF-3 1 SDHF-4 1 SDHF-5 1 SDHF-6 1 SDHF-7 1 SDHF-8 1 others 16 42 Known clones FACTORS SDF-1-alpha 27 Fractalkine 7 insulin-like growth factor binding protein 4 4 Cyr61, CTGF, IGFBP 10 3 lysyl oxidase (Lox) 3 osteopontin 2 alpha inhibin 1 S1-5, T16 homologue, 1 STRA-1/EFLN B2 1 49 RECEPTORS gp130 6 CCK4 (RTK), homologue 5 IL-1 receptor accessory protein. 4 PDGFR beta 2 Fe receptor 2 clone: 2-63 1 FGF receptor 1 LDL receptor 1 ROBO-1 1 23 Adhesion & Matrix proteins ADAMTS-1 (secretory protein, metalloprotease) 10 collagen a1(V) 7 amyloid beta protein precursor 6 collagen alpha1 (VI) 6 thrombospondin 1 6 collagen, alpha-2 collagen VI 5 collagen, pro-alpha1 (II) collagen chain 5 fibronectin 5 SPARC-related protein (SRG) 5 collagen, alpha-2 type IV collagen 2 collagen, pro-alpha-2(I) collagen 2 collagenase, type IV collagenase 2 cadherin-11 (OSF-4) 1 calpain small subunit 1 calumenin 1 collagen, type 1 procollagen C-proteinase enhancer protein 1 entactin/nidogen 1 extracellular matrix associated protein (Sc1) 1 metalloproteinase 1 1 nucleobindin 1 thrombomodulin 1 type 1 procollagen C-proteinase enhancer protein 1 71 Others 31 not membranous 7 TOTAL 223

[0064] Microarray Method

[0065] All PCR fragments obtained by the signal sequence trap method were spotted onto glass slides (procedure heretofore being conducted by HOKKAIDO SYSTEM SCIENCE), and the change in the expression was investigated using a fluorescence-labeled cDNA probe prepared from the cells adjusted under the condition before and after the stimulation of the OP9 cells with 10 ng/ml LIF at 37° C. for 60 minutes. The probe was subjected to a reverse transcription using a SuperScript II employing oligo dT primers from the polyA RNA extracted as described above, and then purified using a Microcon 30 (Millipore) labeled by means of the integration of a Fluorolink Cy-dUTP. The results obtained are shown in FIG. 7.

[0066] Northern Blotting

[0067] The OP9 cells were stimulated with 10 ng/ml of LIF at 37° C. for 60 minutes, and then after 0 minutes, 30 minutes, 1 hour, 3 hours, 8 hours and 24 hours, the total RNA was extracted using a Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) in accordance with the protocol. The total RNA thus extracted was examined for the concentration, and then a 10 μg aliquot was subjected to an electrophoresis on a 1% agarose gel, transferred onto a Hybond N (Amersham), and subjected to a northern blotting by a standard method using the respective gene DNA fragment as a probe. As a result, an increase in the expression of each of SDHF-1, SDHF-2 and SDHF-5 genes was observed as evident from FIG. 8. On the contrary, SDHF-6 gene exhibited a reduction in the expression.

[0068] Western Blotting

[0069] From the sequence of the entire length of a gene thus obtained, an amino acid-encoding region (open reading frame: ORF) was determined, and its carboxyl terminal was tagged with a FLAG tag sequence (DYKDDDDK) by a PCR method. All of these cDNAs were subcloned into an expression vector pUC-CAGGS which was then expressed transiently in COS-7 cells using FuGene 6 (Roche). The western blotting was conducted as reported previously (1995, Ueno, JBC Vol. 270, pp. 20135-42). The cells were solubilized with a Triton lysis buffer (0.5% (v/v), Triton X-100, 50 mM Tris-HCl, pH 7.4, 2 mM PMSF, 10 U/ml aprotinin, 1 mM EDTA) and then a 50 μg lysate was subjected to an SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), transferred to an Immobilon-P membrane, and then detected using an anti-FLAG antibody, M2 (Sigma). As a result, any of the genes of the invention was expressed in the COS7 cells and exhibited the bands in the western blotting.

[0070] Immunostaining

[0071] Genes tagged with a FLAG peptide were expressed transiently in the COS-7 cells using a FuGene reagent (see above), fixed in a 3.7% formaldehyde, subjected to a permeabilization with a 1% NP40, and stained with an anti-FLAG antibody (secondary antibody: Texas Red-labeled anti-mouse antibody, Jackson). The nucleus was stained with DAPI (FUNAKOSHI). The results are shown in FIG. 10.

[0072] Cobblestone Area Forming Cell Assay: CAFC Assay

[0073] A gene obtained as described above in the OP9 cells was transduced into a retrovirus vector (pMX-puro), which were inoculated to a 6-well dish at the density of 2.5×10⁵, and incubated overnight and then inoculated with 1×10⁵ of the bone marrow cells obtained from the femoral bones of 5 to 8-week old C57BL/6mice, and the number of the CAFCs formed was counted after 6 days.

[0074] Results of CAFC Analysis

[0075] Hematopoietic cells proliferating underneath a stromal cell layer upon co-culturing the stromal cells and the bone marrow cells are referred to as a cobblestone area forming cell (CAFC). An increased number of the CAFCs formed is largely means that the stromal cell amplifies the immature hematopoietic cells. Nevertheless, an increased CAFC does not mean an amplified hematopoietic stem cell in an exact sense, since the cells consisting the CAFC include not only the hematopoietic stem cell but also the cells which have been differentiated once, such as myelocytic, erythroblastic, megakaryocytic and lymphocytic precursor cells. The gene described above was introduced into the OP9 cells of a mouse myelic stromal cell line having a hematopoiesis-supporting ability using a retrovirus vector pMX-puro, and the cells imparted with a drug resistance by 5 μg/ml puromycin was examined for their CAFC-forming ability. As a result, ISLR exhibited the highest level, and slightly higher levels were also exhibited by SDHF-1, SDHF-2, SDHF-4 and SDHF-5, as shown in FIG. 11. These findings suggest the hematopoietic precursor cell-amplifying ability of these genes. On the contrary, SDHF-3 exhibited the inhibition of the CAFC-constituting ability, and was considered to have a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-inhibiting ability.

[0076] Detection of Secretory Protein in Cell Culture Supernatant by Methionine Labeling

[0077] 1×10⁵ COS-7 cells were inoculated into a 6 cm dish, which was then incubated overnight. The genes were introduced by a FuGene method (Roche). The carboxyl terminal of any of these genes is tagged with a FLAG tag, and a protein expressed can be detected by a western analysis using an anti-FLAG antibody as described above. After incubation for 36 hours, the supernatant was removed, and the cells were washed twice with PBS, combined with 0.5 ml of DMEM (Methionine, Sigma) supplemented with 0.5 mCi [³⁵S] methionine (ICN, TRAN-S), and incubated for 4 hours. The cell components were removed from the culture supernatant by centrifugation, and the proteins were concentrated using a Micron 10 (Millipore). After running in a 15% SDS-PAGE, the labeled proteins were detected using a BAS2000 (FUJI FILM).

[0078] As a result, SDHF-1 and SDHF-5 exhibited the protein secretion to the culture supernatant as shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13. Since these genes are membrane proteins structurally and the secretory proteins are smaller by about 20 kDa than the mature protein detected by the western analysis, these secretory proteins were considered to have undergone the cleavage of the transmembrane region of the carboxyl terminals. Since an SCF is known to be a proliferation factor of the type which is secreted as a result of the cleavage of the transmembrane region of the carboxyl terminal and such findings were not shown by an adhesion protein, the proteins encoded by the genes of the invention are suggested strongly to be the proteins of the type which serve as humoral factors to transmit the signals to other cells.

[0079] Assay of Expression Site by RT-PCR

[0080] Based on the DNA sequences of respective SDHF genes, the primers were designed and a PCR (LA-Tag, TAKARA) was conducted using Multiple Tissue cDNA (MTC) panels (Clontech) as templates. The cells in a bone marrow were sorted by a FACS Vantage (Becton Dickinson) using fluorescence-labeled monoclonal antibodies (anti-B220, anti-CD3, anti-Gr1, anti-MAC1, anti-Sca1 antibodies, Phamingen), subjected to an RNA extraction with a Trizol reagent (Invitrogen) followed by an RT reaction using random hexamers, and then subjected to the PCR similarly.

[0081] As a result, all SDHF genes exhibited the expression in the OP9 cells as shown in FIG. 14. SDHF-4 exhibited the expression localized especially in the brain and the bone marrow, in which the expression was localized in the stromal cells interestingly.

[0082] Assay of Stem Cell-Supporting Ability by Long Term Culture-Initiating Cells Assay (LTC-IC Method)

[0083] Since the CAFC method described above only reflects the hematopoiesis-supporting function over a relatively short period, an LTC-IC method was conducted for the evaluation of the stem cell-supporting function over a prolonged period. A gene isolated as described above was expressed highly in the OP9 cells using a retrovirus expression vector pMX-puro whereby conducting an LTC-IC method.

[0084] First, a hematopoietic stem cell was purified. Thus, the bone marrow cells were obtained from the femoral bones of 6 to 8-week old C57BL/6 mice, and the mononuclear cell were separated by centrifugation by a Ficoll method (specific gravity: 1.100). After washing with PBS, the cells were reacted with a biotin-labeled primary antibody (anti-Lineage antibody cocktail: anti-CD3, anti-CD4, anti-CD8, anti-B220, anti-Ter119, anti-Gr1, anti-Mac1 antibodies, all from Phamingen) followed by streptoavidin-labeled magnetic beads each at 4° C. for 15 minutes. A MACS method was employed to recover the column-passing fraction (LIN(−) cells), which was washed by centrifugation, reacted further with a PE-labeled anti-Sca1 antibody, FITC-labeled anti-c-kit antibody, Per-CP-Cy5.5-labeled streptoavidin (all from Phamingen) at 4° C. for 15 minutes, subjected to a FACS Vantage (Becton Dickinson) to obtain LIN (−), Sca1 (+) and c-kit (+) fractions (the cells thus obtained were defined as KSL cells). cDNAs obtained by adding FLAG peptides to the carboxyl terminals of SDHF-1 to 6 were transduced to the OP9 cells using a retrovirus vector (pMX-puro) to establish stably expressing cell lines, 2.5×10⁵ of which were inoculated to a 6-well dish, which were incubated overnight, inoculated with 100 KSL cells, which were then incubated for 3 weeks. Thereafter, the cells were recovered and inoculated, after 2-fold dilution in 8-well pairs, to a 96-well dish, each well of which had been inoculated with 3000 OP9 cells which had been irradiated with γ-ray at 20 Gy. After 5 weeks, the cells were recovered from each well, inoculated to a methyl cellulose medium (IMDM, 1% methyl cellulose, 15% fetal bovine serum, 1% bovine serum albumin, 3 U/ml human erythropoietin, 10 ng/ml human IL-6, 10 ng/ml mouse IL-3, 100 ng/ml mouse SCF, 10 μg/ml bovine insulin), and then evaluated after 12 days on the basis of the presence or absence of the blood cell colonies (CFU-C). The frequency of the stem cells were analyzed by an L-Calc software (Stemcell).

[0085] As a result, a marked hematopoiesis-supporting function was exhibited by the SDHF-4 gene as evident from FIG. 15. The hematopoiesis-supporting function of this gene was revealed.

[0086] Mouse Hematopoietic Stem Cell-Amplifying Effect of SDHF-4 Extracellular Region/Recombinant Protein

[0087] The extracellular transmembrane region of SDHF-4 was assumed (amino acids 524 to 540) using a PSORT II program (http://psort.ims.u-tokyo.ac.jp/form2.html), and a human immunogloblin Fc region and a fusion protein (SDHF-4-Δ TM-Fc) were formed in the extracellular region (amino acids 1 to 523), and subcloned into an expression vector pSSRα, which were stably introduced into CHO-k1 cells. A culture in a serum-free medium CD-CHO (Invitrogen) followed by the purification of the supernatant on a Protein A column yielded fusion recombinant proteins (FIG. 16). Mouse stem cells were cultured similarly to the LTC-IC method as the mouse bone marrow LIN (−), Sca1 (+) and c-kit (+) fractions (KSL cells), each 100 cells of which were incubated in a Stem Span medium (StemCell) supplemented with SCF (50 ng/ml), IL-3 (10 ng/ml), IL-6 (10 ng/ml) and SDHF-4-Δ TM-Fc (100 ng/ml). After 7 days, the cells were recovered, and examined for the expression of LIN, Sca1 and c-kit using a FACS Calibur.

[0088] As a result, the LSK cells incubated in the StemSpan medium supplemented with SCF, IL-3 and IL-6 exhibited not only a LIN (−) cell ratio which was higher in the presence rather than the absence of 100 ng/ml of SDHF-4-Δ TM-Fc but also increased ratios of LIN (−), Sca1 (+) and c-kit (+) fractions. These findings suggest that the SDHF-4 extracellular region/recombinant protein has an ability of maintaining the non-differentiated state of the mouse hematopoietic stem cells.

[0089] Fat Cell Differentiation Assay and Oil Red O Staining

[0090] Each of the cell into which an SDHF-6 gene had been transduced via a retrovirus vector (pMX-puro) and the cell into which only the vector had been transduced was incubated continuously in a confluent state without any subculture over a period of 4 weeks or longer in the presence of Alpha-MEM+20% fetal bovine serum. The cells were fixed with 10% formalin and then stained with an Oil Red 0.

[0091] As a result, the OP9 cells over expressing SDHF-6 by using the retroviral vector pMX-puro were revealed to differentiate into fat cells with a high efficiency after the incubation for about 4 weeks. This gene was considered to be involved in the differentiation into the fat cells via the effect on the mesencymal cells rather than on the hematopoietic stem cells.

[0092] Preparation of Polyclonal Antibody Directed to SDHF-4 and Isolation of myelic Hematopoiesis-Supporting Cell Therewith

[0093] Based on the amino acid sequence of SDHF-4, a synthetic peptide (GYMAKDKFRRMNEGQVY (corresponding to the amino acids 32 to 48)) was designed, and immunized to a rabbit to prepare a polyclonal antibody.

[0094] This peptide was conjugatal with an epoxy-activated Sepharose 6B (Pharmacia) to prepare an antigen column, which was used to purificate a polyclonal antibody, as an affinity chromatography. A western analysis using this antibody while comparing the cell expressing SDHF-4 obtained by transducing a CHO-k1 cell with a pSSRα-bsr vector (SDHF4-c112) with the cell into which only the vector had been introduced (mock) revealed that an SDHF-4 gene product could be recognized in a very specific manner (FIG. 19). 1 mg of the resultant purified antibody was labeled with FITC using a LinKit Fluoro-Link (ISL) and the same cell was analyzed by a FACS Calibur (Becton Dickinson), and the results indicated that this antibody can be utilized also in a flow cytometry (FIG. 20: O-line: mock, ▪-line: SDHF4-c112). Using this antibody, the bone marrow cells of a C57BL/6J mouse were stained, and subjected to a FACS Vantage (Becton Dickinson) whereby sorting and recovering the cells expressing SDHF-4 (FIG. 21), which deposited onto a culture dish and were revealed morphologically to be mesencymal cells corresponding to bone marrow hematopoiesis-supporting cells (FIG. 22).

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

[0095] According to the invention, a stromal cell-derived novel hematopoiesis-related gene can be isolated successfully, and was revealed to have a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity. As a result, a wide range of the application, including an in vitro amplification of hematopoietic stem cells, a transplantation therapy against a malignant tumor of a hematopoietic tissue, a regenerative medicine using the stem cell, a gene therapy, immunotherapy, cell transplantation, treatments of a neuropathy (Alzheimer's disease, cerebral infarction, degenerative neuropathy and the like), hepatic disease (cirrhosis), pulmonary disease, myocardial disease, diabetes, bone disease, chronic renal failure and the like, became possible.

1 13 1 3204 DNA murine stromal cell 1 gcgggggagc gcggcggcgc ctccgccacc aaactcctgg ggctccgcgg cgttcggagc 60 cacctcctgc ctagcccgga ggggctctct taccaggctg caacctcact ttcccgtttt 120 tctttttctt taaaaaacac ccccacctct cttctgctca cagcagctgg tgcattcccg 180 gctctactct ccggagctgc ccatccctcc ggctgcgggc gaggacgcgc gctcagcctt 240 gggcgaagca aagaagaaaa acttgtcaga ggggtttctc cagcctccac taacctcctt 300 ctctcgggaa caccaaccac ccgccggggc cagacctaag tctgggaaag ttcctccggt 360 gctcagcgcc ctcttgaatc tggaacagca ccggcgcagc cagtggaatt agatctgttt 420 tgaacccagt ggagcgcgtc gcgggcgctc ggaagtcacc gtctgtgggc gcccgggtgg 480 cgctgcctga gaggacccgg gagtttgccg accctactgc aagtgacctt tcctcccctc 540 acttggttga ttgtgtctca gttgggggct gcgagggtga caagttgcag tgagagctcc 600 cgaagttcgg agagggttca gctgtctctc cttcacttct gttacccgga gtgaaatcct 660 agcgaaactg tcagaggcct ccggatccca cccaagactc accagcagag ctcggccgtg 720 tcgccccatc cccagggata accccggagc ccagggtctc aagaaaaaat tcgttgggca 780 ggggagagag gtcgcggcag cggcatggca aggttccgga gggccgacct ggccgcagca 840 ggagttatgt tactttgtca ctttttaaca gaccggttcc agttcgccca cggggagcct 900 ggacaccata ccaatgattg gatttatgaa gttacaaacg cttttccttg gaatgaagag 960 ggggtagaag tggactctca agcatacaac cacaggtgga aaagaaatgt ggaccctttt 1020 aaggcagtag acacaaacag agccagcatg ggccaagcct ctccagagtc caaagggttc 1080 actgacctgc tactggatga cggacaggac aataacaccc agatagagga ggacacggat 1140 cacaattact acatttctcg gatatatggt ccagcggatt ctgccagccg ggatctgtgg 1200 gttaacatag accaaatgga aaaagacaaa gtgaagattc acgggatact ttccaacact 1260 catcggcaag ctgcaagagt gaatctgtcc ttcgattttc cattttatgg tcattttcta 1320 aatgaagtca ctgtggcaac tgggggtttc atatatactg gagaagttgt acatcgaatg 1380 ctcacagcta cacagtatat agctccttta atggcaaatt ttgatcccag tgtatccaga 1440 aattcaactg tcagatattt tgataatggc acagctcttg ttgtccagtg ggaccatgtc 1500 cacctgcagg ataattacaa cctgggaagc ttcacattcc aggccacact cctcatggac 1560 gggcgcatca tctttggata caaagaaatc cctgtcttgg tcacacagat aagttctacc 1620 aaccatccag tgaaagtcgg gttgtctgat gcatttgtcg tggtccacag gatccagcaa 1680 atacccaatg ttcgaagaag aacaatttat gaatatcacc gagtagaact acaaatgtcc 1740 aaaattacca acatctcagc tgtggagatg actccacttc ccacatgtct ccagttcaat 1800 ggttgtggcc cttgtgtgtc ctcgcagatt ggtttcaact gcagttggtg cagcaaactt 1860 caaagatgct ccagtggatt tgatcgccat cggcaggact gggtggacag tggatgcccg 1920 gaagaggtac agtcaaaaga gaagatgtgt gagaagacag agccaggaga gacatctcaa 1980 actaccacga cctcccacac gaccaccatg caattcaggg tcctgaccac caccaggaga 2040 gctgtgacat ctcagatgcc taccagcctg cctacagaag atgacacgaa gatagcccta 2100 catctcaaag acagtggagc ctccacagat gacagtgcag ctgagaagaa aggaggaacc 2160 ctccatgcag gcctcattgt tggaattctc atcttggtcc tcattatagc agcggccatt 2220 ctggtgacag tgtatatgta tcaccatcca acatcagcag ccagcatctt cttcattgag 2280 agacgcccaa gcagatggcc agcaatgaag tttcgaagag gctcaggaca ccctgcctat 2340 gcagaagttg aaccagttgg agagaaagaa ggttttattg tatcagagca gtgctaaaat 2400 tttaggacag agcagcacca gtactggctt acaggtgtta agactaaaac tttgcttatg 2460 catttaagac aaacagacac acaacccaca accacacaca aaggagccct aaactgctgt 2520 agacagaagg gcgacgagat ttggacaagc ccagcccagg aacattgaaa ggaaaactca 2580 gacttgtaca agacaccatg tacaatgatt aaagaattcc ctagtggaat gacatccatg 2640 gttcacaagg aacatctccg gtggacttgc caggagtgtg acgagatgac gatgcttttg 2700 gtttaggtgc agggttgcaa agaaatcaag gaaaaaaaat atgacaataa ataaagcttt 2760 agttcacaag ggatcgacac ttttggttca aatgttcttc tctgacgtct caaagataat 2820 catgttccaa agcctgaaca ctgtcactga aaagagcaat ggtgaatgtt tcaagattgc 2880 agggaacaat agctcacaca ggagcaaaac caaacatgga tggagggttt tctatctttt 2940 ccaaacagac tatcagcaga aggattttat gttttgctct agatgtcatt gtgcagacaa 3000 gttcattact ttgtaggatg aatcttttat ttttcagaag ttcaaactct gcctgcctct 3060 tccttggtaa tgaataccat ttttgtgagc tgtgacacaa ttccctaatg ttaagctaag 3120 aaccagagag gaaggagtag ccagtgaggt ttccgttctc tcactgaaga ataaaatgcc 3180 ttctaaggtg ctgcttcctc tcct 3204 2 530 PRT murine stromal cell 2 Met Ala Arg Phe Arg Arg Ala Asp Leu Ala Ala Ala Gly Val Met Leu 1 5 10 15 Leu Cys His Phe Leu Thr Asp Arg Phe Gln Phe Ala His Gly Glu Pro 20 25 30 Gly His His Thr Asn Asp Trp Ile Tyr Glu Val Thr Asn Ala Phe Pro 35 40 45 Trp Asn Glu Glu Gly Val Glu Val Asp Ser Gln Ala Tyr Asn His Arg 50 55 60 Trp Lys Arg Asn Val Asp Pro Phe Lys Ala Val Asp Thr Asn Arg Ala 65 70 75 80 Ser Met Gly Gln Ala Ser Pro Glu Ser Lys Gly Phe Thr Asp Leu Leu 85 90 95 Leu Asp Asp Gly Gln Asp Asn Asn Thr Gln Ile Glu Glu Asp Thr Asp 100 105 110 His Asn Tyr Tyr Ile Ser Arg Ile Tyr Gly Pro Ala Asp Ser Ala Ser 115 120 125 Arg Asp Leu Trp Val Asn Ile Asp Gln Met Glu Lys Asp Lys Val Lys 130 135 140 Ile His Gly Ile Leu Ser Asn Thr His Arg Gln Ala Ala Arg Val Asn 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Phe Asp Phe Pro Phe Tyr Gly His Phe Leu Asn Glu Val Thr 165 170 175 Val Ala Thr Gly Gly Phe Ile Tyr Thr Gly Glu Val Val His Arg Met 180 185 190 Leu Thr Ala Thr Gln Tyr Ile Ala Pro Leu Met Ala Asn Phe Asp Pro 195 200 205 Ser Val Ser Arg Asn Ser Thr Val Arg Tyr Phe Asp Asn Gly Thr Ala 210 215 220 Leu Val Val Gln Trp Asp His Val His Leu Gln Asp Asn Tyr Asn Leu 225 230 235 240 Gly Ser Phe Thr Phe Gln Ala Thr Leu Leu Met Asp Gly Arg Ile Ile 245 250 255 Phe Gly Tyr Lys Glu Ile Pro Val Leu Val Thr Gln Ile Ser Ser Thr 260 265 270 Asn His Pro Val Lys Val Gly Leu Ser Asp Ala Phe Val Val Val His 275 280 285 Arg Ile Gln Gln Ile Pro Asn Val Arg Arg Arg Thr Ile Tyr Glu Tyr 290 295 300 His Arg Val Glu Leu Gln Met Ser Lys Ile Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala Val 305 310 315 320 Glu Met Thr Pro Leu Pro Thr Cys Leu Gln Phe Asn Gly Cys Gly Pro 325 330 335 Cys Val Ser Ser Gln Ile Gly Phe Asn Cys Ser Trp Cys Ser Lys Leu 340 345 350 Gln Arg Cys Ser Ser Gly Phe Asp Arg His Arg Gln Asp Trp Val Asp 355 360 365 Ser Gly Cys Pro Glu Glu Val Gln Ser Lys Glu Lys Met Cys Glu Lys 370 375 380 Thr Glu Pro Gly Glu Thr Ser Gln Thr Thr Thr Thr Ser His Thr Thr 385 390 395 400 Thr Met Gln Phe Arg Val Leu Thr Thr Thr Arg Arg Ala Val Thr Ser 405 410 415 Gln Met Pro Thr Ser Leu Pro Thr Glu Asp Asp Thr Lys Ile Ala Leu 420 425 430 His Leu Lys Asp Ser Gly Ala Ser Thr Asp Asp Ser Ala Ala Glu Lys 435 440 445 Lys Gly Gly Thr Leu His Ala Gly Leu Ile Val Gly Ile Leu Ile Leu 450 455 460 Val Leu Ile Ile Ala Ala Ala Ile Leu Val Thr Val Tyr Met Tyr His 465 470 475 480 His Pro Thr Ser Ala Ala Ser Ile Phe Phe Ile Glu Arg Arg Pro Ser 485 490 495 Arg Trp Pro Ala Met Lys Phe Arg Arg Gly Ser Gly His Pro Ala Tyr 500 505 510 Ala Glu Val Glu Pro Val Gly Glu Lys Glu Gly Phe Ile Val Ser Glu 515 520 525 Gln Cys 530 3 2137 DNA murine stromal cell 3 gagagttaga gctgagtaag acaaagcacg tcccccgcag gcgccatgga gctgctgtcc 60 cgcgtcctgc tgtggaaact gctgcttctt cagagctctg cagtcctgtc ctcagggcct 120 tcagggaccg cagcagccag cagctctctg gtgtctgagt ctgtggtgag cttggcagcc 180 ggaacccagg ctgtgctacg ctgccagagc ccccgcatgg tgtggaccca agaccggctg 240 catgatcgcc agcgcgtggt ccactgggac ctcagcgggg gcccgggcag ccaacggcgc 300 cgacttgtgg atatgtattc ggcgggtgaa cagcgcgtgt acgagccgcg cgatcgcgac 360 cgcctcctgc tgtcgccttc tgctttccac gacggcaact tctcgctgct cattcgcgct 420 gtggacagag gcgatgaagg ggtgtacacc tgcaacctgc accatcacta ctgccacctc 480 gatgagagcc tggctgtgcg cctcgaggtt acagaggatc ccctattaag tcgcgcatac 540 tgggacggtg agaaggaagt gttggtggtg gcccatggcg cgccggcact gatgacctgc 600 atcaaccgtg cgcacgtgtg gactgaccgc catttagagg aggcgcagca ggtggtccat 660 tgggaccgac agctacctgg ggtgtcacac gaccgcgccg accgcctgct tgacctgtat 720 gcatctggcg agcgccgcgc ctatgggcca cccttcctgc gtgatcgcgt gtcagtgaac 780 accaacgctt ttgcacgcgg tgacttctcc ctacgcatcg atgagctgga gcgagctgat 840 gagggcatct attcctgcca cctgcaccat cactactgtg gcctccacga gcgccgagtc 900 ttccacctac aggtcacaga gcctgccttt gagccaccag ctcgtgcttc tcctggcaat 960 gggtctggtc acagcagtgc tcctagccca gatcccaccc tgacccgagg ccacagcatc 1020 atcaatgtta ttgtcccaga ggaccacaca catttcttcc agcaactggg ctatgtgttg 1080 gccacgctgc tgctcttcat cttgctgctc atcactgtag tcctggctac acgatatcgt 1140 cacagcggag gatgcaagac gtcggacaaa aaagctggga agtcaaaggg gaaggatgtg 1200 aacatggtgg agtttgctgt agccacaagg gatcaggctc catataggac tgaggacatc 1260 cagctagatt acaaaaacaa catcctgaag gagagggctg agctggccca tagtcctctg 1320 cctgccaagg atgtggatct ggataaagag ttcaggaagg agtactgcaa ataaatggac 1380 cctgagcttc tggctgggcc agcagctctg tatcaaagga catctccctg accctcctgc 1440 ggtattcctg gctcttctca gcggctggtc cgacttacct agaaacttgg cagagcagct 1500 gcctgtactt tgcccttcct agaatcgcca cccctcatct tggtgagcaa ctgtgggttc 1560 cctagagact ctggtatagt acgattgctg cccttcacct gtgcccactg atggttgtac 1620 ccccaactta aacacaacaa agatcccttg ttaatatcca ccaaatgcaa agtccctcgt 1680 ggcctcttac tgctagggtc aggaagacac ttaaaaattc cagttaagac tccctagcca 1740 ccagttaaac acattagcca ttgtcctggg gggtcttcct gagctgcatt gtgcctgtgt 1800 actgttcaga gccctgctgt tataggttct gactcatggg cccgccttgc tgctttgggc 1860 aacttgaggc tagcccaggg ccctttctct gcttctgatt cctttctgcc gaatgcctcc 1920 caagagctac accagcagtt actgggtacc gtatgactct tggccttgac atccctccct 1980 aggctggagt ctggggttgg ggccccattt gtcctctgtt ttggctgaag atggggcgaa 2040 gatttggctg agtggcctat gctgtcacat caaacagcta tcatttactc ctacttggga 2100 agttttcatg tgacaataaa agatacatct gattttt 2137 4 442 PRT murine stromal cell 4 Met Glu Leu Leu Ser Arg Val Leu Leu Trp Lys Leu Leu Leu Leu Gln 1 5 10 15 Ser Ser Ala Val Leu Ser Ser Gly Pro Ser Gly Thr Ala Ala Ala Ser 20 25 30 Ser Ser Leu Val Ser Glu Ser Val Val Ser Leu Ala Ala Gly Thr Gln 35 40 45 Ala Val Leu Arg Cys Gln Ser Pro Arg Met Val Trp Thr Gln Asp Arg 50 55 60 Leu His Asp Arg Gln Arg Val Val His Trp Asp Leu Ser Gly Gly Pro 65 70 75 80 Gly Ser Gln Arg Arg Arg Leu Val Asp Met Tyr Ser Ala Gly Glu Gln 85 90 95 Arg Val Tyr Glu Pro Arg Asp Arg Asp Arg Leu Leu Leu Ser Pro Ser 100 105 110 Ala Phe His Asp Gly Asn Phe Ser Leu Leu Ile Arg Ala Val Asp Arg 115 120 125 Gly Asp Glu Gly Val Tyr Thr Cys Asn Leu His His His Tyr Cys His 130 135 140 Leu Asp Glu Ser Leu Ala Val Arg Leu Glu Val Thr Glu Asp Pro Leu 145 150 155 160 Leu Ser Arg Ala Tyr Trp Asp Gly Glu Lys Glu Val Leu Val Val Ala 165 170 175 His Gly Ala Pro Ala Leu Met Thr Cys Ile Asn Arg Ala His Val Trp 180 185 190 Thr Asp Arg His Leu Glu Glu Ala Gln Gln Val Val His Trp Asp Arg 195 200 205 Gln Leu Pro Gly Val Ser His Asp Arg Ala Asp Arg Leu Leu Asp Leu 210 215 220 Tyr Ala Ser Gly Glu Arg Arg Ala Tyr Gly Pro Pro Phe Leu Arg Asp 225 230 235 240 Arg Val Ser Val Asn Thr Asn Ala Phe Ala Arg Gly Asp Phe Ser Leu 245 250 255 Arg Ile Asp Glu Leu Glu Arg Ala Asp Glu Gly Ile Tyr Ser Cys His 260 265 270 Leu His His His Tyr Cys Gly Leu His Glu Arg Arg Val Phe His Leu 275 280 285 Gln Val Thr Glu Pro Ala Phe Glu Pro Pro Ala Arg Ala Ser Pro Gly 290 295 300 Asn Gly Ser Gly His Ser Ser Ala Pro Ser Pro Asp Pro Thr Leu Thr 305 310 315 320 Arg Gly His Ser Ile Ile Asn Val Ile Val Pro Glu Asp His Thr His 325 330 335 Phe Phe Gln Gln Leu Gly Tyr Val Leu Ala Thr Leu Leu Leu Phe Ile 340 345 350 Leu Leu Leu Ile Thr Val Val Leu Ala Thr Arg Tyr Arg His Ser Gly 355 360 365 Gly Cys Lys Thr Ser Asp Lys Lys Ala Gly Lys Ser Lys Gly Lys Asp 370 375 380 Val Asn Met Val Glu Phe Ala Val Ala Thr Arg Asp Gln Ala Pro Tyr 385 390 395 400 Arg Thr Glu Asp Ile Gln Leu Asp Tyr Lys Asn Asn Ile Leu Lys Glu 405 410 415 Arg Ala Glu Leu Ala His Ser Pro Leu Pro Ala Lys Asp Val Asp Leu 420 425 430 Asp Lys Glu Phe Arg Lys Glu Tyr Cys Lys 435 440 5 3766 DNA murine stromal cell 5 tgctattcac gtgcctcacc ccttcataat ctgcgcgggt ctccggagtg cgacgcgagc 60 tagcggaagg gaactgtgcg gccagtcggt cgtgcggtga ctgcagccac ctgcccgagc 120 cccgtggccc gccctcagat cccggcgatg cgcctcggcg ccgcctgggc gctgctgctg 180 gccgcagccc tggggctcgg gacgcgcggg gtgcgcgctg ccgtggccct cgccgacttc 240 tacccgttcg gcacgaagcg cggcgacacc gtcaccccga agcaggacga cggcggctca 300 gggctgcaac cactctcggt gccctttccg ttcttcggcg ccgagcactc cggactctac 360 gtgaacaata atggaatcat ctccttcctg aaggaagttt ctcagttcac ccccgtggcc 420 ttccccatcg ccaaagaccg ctgtgtggta gcagtcttct gggcagatgt agacaaccgg 480 cgtgcaggtg atgtctacta ccgggaggcc accgacccag ccatgctgaa cagagccacg 540 gaggacatca gacggtactt tcctgagctc ccggacttct ctgctacctg ggtttttgtt 600 gcgacctggt accgtgtgac cttctttgga ggcagcagct cttcccccgt taacacattc 660 caaactgtac tcatcaccga tggccgattc tccttcacca tcttcaacta tgagtccatc 720 ttgtggacta ccggcacaca cgccagcagc gggggtgaca ctgatggctt gggaggcatt 780 gcagcccagg caggtttcaa cgcaggtgat gggcaccgct acttcaacat ccccgggtcg 840 cgcacagcag acatggctga ggtggagacc accaccaacg tgggcgtgcc cggccgctgg 900 acgtttagaa tcgatgatgc ccaggtgcgc gcggggggct gcggccatac aacctctgtg 960 tgcctggtcc tgcgtccatg cctcaatggt ggcaagtgca ttgatgactg tgtcacgggc 1020 aatccctctt acacctgttc ctgtctcgct ggcttcacag gccggagatg ccacctggat 1080 gtgaacgagt gtgcttccca cccctgtcag aatggtggga cctgcaccca tggtgtcaac 1140 agcttcagct gccagtgccc agccggcttc aagggaccca cctgtgaatc ggcccaatct 1200 ccgtgtgaca acaaagtatg tcaaaatggt ggccagtgcc aggcagagag cagctctgca 1260 gtatgtgtgt gtcaggctgg atacactggg gccacctgtg agacagatgt ggatgaatgc 1320 agttctgacc catgccagaa tgggggatca tgtgttgacc tggttggaaa ctacagctgt 1380 atttgtgtgg agcccttcga gggacctcag tgtgagacag gaagctacct ggtgccttca 1440 ccctgcctct ccaacccctg ccagaacggg ggcacctgtg tggatgctga tgagggatac 1500 gtgtgtgaat gccctgaagg cttcatgggc ttggactgca gagagaggat cctcaatgac 1560 tgtgactgcc ggaacggagg cagatgcctg ggtgccaaca ccaccctctg ccagtgtcct 1620 ccaggcttct ttgggctcct ctgtgaattt gaagtcacag ccacgccctg caacatgaac 1680 acgcagtgtc cagatggagg ctactgcatg gagtatggcg gaagctacct atgtgcctgc 1740 cacacagacc acaacatcag ccactctctg ccatccccct gcgactcaga cccttgcttt 1800 aatggaggtt cctgtgacgc ccacgaggac tcctacacgt gcgagtgccc tcgtggattc 1860 cacggcaggc actgtgagaa agcccggcca cacctgtgca gctcagggcc ctgccggaat 1920 ggaggcacat gcaaggaaat gggcgacgag taccgctgca cctgccctta tagattcact 1980 gggagacact gtgagattgg aaagccagac tcctgtgcct ctggcccctg tcataatggt 2040 gggacttgtt tccactacat tggcaaatac aagtgtgact gccctccagg attctctgga 2100 cggcactgtg agatagctcc ctcaccctgc ttccggagcc catgtatgaa tgggggtacc 2160 tgtgaggatc tagggacaga tttctcctgc tactgccagc cagggtatac aggacaccgg 2220 tgtcaggcag aagtggactg tggtcaccct gaggaggtgg agcatgctac catgcgcttc 2280 aacggaactc acgtgggctc agtggccctg tacacatgtg agcccggctt cagcctgagt 2340 gccctcagcc atatacgtgt ctgtcagcca caaggggtct ggagccagcc tccccagtgc 2400 attgaagtag atgagtgccg gtctcagcca tgcctgcacg gaggctcctg ccaggacctc 2460 attgctggtt accagtgcct ctgcagcccg gggtatgaag gagtccactg tgagctagag 2520 acagatgagt gccaagcaca gccatgcaga aatgggggct cctgcaggga cctccccagg 2580 gctttcatct gccagtgccc tgaaggtttt gttggaatcc actgtgaaac agaggtggat 2640 gcctgtgcct ccagcccctg ccagcacgga ggccggtgtg aggacggtgg tggggcctac 2700 ctgtgcgtgt gtccagaggg cttctttgga tacaactgtg agacaatgag tgacccctgc 2760 ttctctagcc cctgtgggag ccgcggctac tgcttggcca gcaacgggtc ccacagttgt 2820 acctgcaaag tgggctacac aggcaaggac tgtaccaaag agctcctccc accaacagcc 2880 ctcagggtag aaagggtgga ggagagtggg gtctccatct cctggagtcc acccgagggc 2940 accacggcca ggcaggtgct ggatggctat gcagtcacct atgcctcctc ggatggatcg 3000 tcccggcgca cagactttgt ggaccggagc cgctcctctc accagcttcg ggccctagca 3060 gccggccgcg cctacaatat ctccgttttc tcagtcaaga gaaacacaaa caacaaaaat 3120 gacatcagca ggcctgcagc actgctcacc cgcacccgac cccgccctat agaagacttt 3180 gaggtcacca acatttcagc caatgccatc tcagtgcagt gggctcttca caggatccag 3240 cacgccactg tcagcagggt ccgggtgtcc atcctctacc ccgaggcctc tgcggtccag 3300 tccactgagg tggacaggag tgtggaccgc ctcacatttg ggtaagagaa gatgctgcag 3360 gaatacaggt cccagagtgt tctttgtgta cctgcctgcc atccatcatc tgaggggggt 3420 ggggcctgat ctgaccctca cagagttggc caggaccact atcagcaaaa taggactcct 3480 ggtcatttag agctcctaga tgctcctctc ctcctgtcca cttctgacag ggacctgctg 3540 ccagggagaa gatacactgt gcggctaacc acccttagtg ggcctggagg agctgaatat 3600 cctactgaga gcctggcttc agctccactg aacgtgtgga cccggccttt gccaccagca 3660 aacctgactg cctctcgagt cacagctacc tctgcccata tgatctggga cacccccgct 3720 ccaggtatct cactggaggc ttatgtcatc aatgtgacca caagtc 3766 6 1065 PRT murine stromal cell 6 Met Arg Leu Gly Ala Ala Trp Ala Leu Leu Leu Ala Ala Ala Leu Gly 1 5 10 15 Leu Gly Thr Arg Gly Val Arg Ala Ala Val Ala Leu Ala Asp Phe Tyr 20 25 30 Pro Phe Gly Thr Lys Arg Gly Asp Thr Val Thr Pro Lys Gln Asp Asp 35 40 45 Gly Gly Ser Gly Leu Gln Pro Leu Ser Val Pro Phe Pro Phe Phe Gly 50 55 60 Ala Glu His Ser Gly Leu Tyr Val Asn Asn Asn Gly Ile Ile Ser Phe 65 70 75 80 Leu Lys Glu Val Ser Gln Phe Thr Pro Val Ala Phe Pro Ile Ala Lys 85 90 95 Asp Arg Cys Val Val Ala Val Phe Trp Ala Asp Val Asp Asn Arg Arg 100 105 110 Ala Gly Asp Val Tyr Tyr Arg Glu Ala Thr Asp Pro Ala Met Leu Asn 115 120 125 Arg Ala Thr Glu Asp Ile Arg Arg Tyr Phe Pro Glu Leu Pro Asp Phe 130 135 140 Ser Ala Thr Trp Val Phe Val Ala Thr Trp Tyr Arg Val Thr Phe Phe 145 150 155 160 Gly Gly Ser Ser Ser Ser Pro Val Asn Thr Phe Gln Thr Val Leu Ile 165 170 175 Thr Asp Gly Arg Phe Ser Phe Thr Ile Phe Asn Tyr Glu Ser Ile Leu 180 185 190 Trp Thr Thr Gly Thr His Ala Ser Ser Gly Gly Asp Thr Asp Gly Leu 195 200 205 Gly Gly Ile Ala Ala Gln Ala Gly Phe Asn Ala Gly Asp Gly His Arg 210 215 220 Tyr Phe Asn Ile Pro Gly Ser Arg Thr Ala Asp Met Ala Glu Val Glu 225 230 235 240 Thr Thr Thr Asn Val Gly Val Pro Gly Arg Trp Thr Phe Arg Ile Asp 245 250 255 Asp Ala Gln Val Arg Ala Gly Gly Cys Gly His Thr Thr Ser Val Cys 260 265 270 Leu Val Leu Arg Pro Cys Leu Asn Gly Gly Lys Cys Ile Asp Asp Cys 275 280 285 Val Thr Gly Asn Pro Ser Tyr Thr Cys Ser Cys Leu Ala Gly Phe Thr 290 295 300 Gly Arg Arg Cys His Leu Asp Val Asn Glu Cys Ala Ser His Pro Cys 305 310 315 320 Gln Asn Gly Gly Thr Cys Thr His Gly Val Asn Ser Phe Ser Cys Gln 325 330 335 Cys Pro Ala Gly Phe Lys Gly Pro Thr Cys Glu Ser Ala Gln Ser Pro 340 345 350 Cys Asp Asn Lys Val Cys Gln Asn Gly Gly Gln Cys Gln Ala Glu Ser 355 360 365 Ser Ser Ala Val Cys Val Cys Gln Ala Gly Tyr Thr Gly Ala Thr Cys 370 375 380 Glu Thr Asp Val Asp Glu Cys Ser Ser Asp Pro Cys Gln Asn Gly Gly 385 390 395 400 Ser Cys Val Asp Leu Val Gly Asn Tyr Ser Cys Ile Cys Val Glu Pro 405 410 415 Phe Glu Gly Pro Gln Cys Glu Thr Gly Ser Tyr Leu Val Pro Ser Pro 420 425 430 Cys Leu Ser Asn Pro Cys Gln Asn Gly Gly Thr Cys Val Asp Ala Asp 435 440 445 Glu Gly Tyr Val Cys Glu Cys Pro Glu Gly Phe Met Gly Leu Asp Cys 450 455 460 Arg Glu Arg Ile Leu Asn Asp Cys Asp Cys Arg Asn Gly Gly Arg Cys 465 470 475 480 Leu Gly Ala Asn Thr Thr Leu Cys Gln Cys Pro Pro Gly Phe Phe Gly 485 490 495 Leu Leu Cys Glu Phe Glu Val Thr Ala Thr Pro Cys Asn Met Asn Thr 500 505 510 Gln Cys Pro Asp Gly Gly Tyr Cys Met Glu Tyr Gly Gly Ser Tyr Leu 515 520 525 Cys Ala Cys His Thr Asp His Asn Ile Ser His Ser Leu Pro Ser Pro 530 535 540 Cys Asp Ser Asp Pro Cys Phe Asn Gly Gly Ser Cys Asp Ala His Glu 545 550 555 560 Asp Ser Tyr Thr Cys Glu Cys Pro Arg Gly Phe His Gly Arg His Cys 565 570 575 Glu Lys Ala Arg Pro His Leu Cys Ser Ser Gly Pro Cys Arg Asn Gly 580 585 590 Gly Thr Cys Lys Glu Met Gly Asp Glu Tyr Arg Cys Thr Cys Pro Tyr 595 600 605 Arg Phe Thr Gly Arg His Cys Glu Ile Gly Lys Pro Asp Ser Cys Ala 610 615 620 Ser Gly Pro Cys His Asn Gly Gly Thr Cys Phe His Tyr Ile Gly Lys 625 630 635 640 Tyr Lys Cys Asp Cys Pro Pro Gly Phe Ser Gly Arg His Cys Glu Ile 645 650 655 Ala Pro Ser Pro Cys Phe Arg Ser Pro Cys Met Asn Gly Gly Thr Cys 660 665 670 Glu Asp Leu Gly Thr Asp Phe Ser Cys Tyr Cys Gln Pro Gly Tyr Thr 675 680 685 Gly His Arg Cys Gln Ala Glu Val Asp Cys Gly His Pro Glu Glu Val 690 695 700 Glu His Ala Thr Met Arg Phe Asn Gly Thr His Val Gly Ser Val Ala 705 710 715 720 Leu Tyr Thr Cys Glu Pro Gly Phe Ser Leu Ser Ala Leu Ser His Ile 725 730 735 Arg Val Cys Gln Pro Gln Gly Val Trp Ser Gln Pro Pro Gln Cys Ile 740 745 750 Glu Val Asp Glu Cys Arg Ser Gln Pro Cys Leu His Gly Gly Ser Cys 755 760 765 Gln Asp Leu Ile Ala Gly Tyr Gln Cys Leu Cys Ser Pro Gly Tyr Glu 770 775 780 Gly Val His Cys Glu Leu Glu Thr Asp Glu Cys Gln Ala Gln Pro Cys 785 790 795 800 Arg Asn Gly Gly Ser Cys Arg Asp Leu Pro Arg Ala Phe Ile Cys Gln 805 810 815 Cys Pro Glu Gly Phe Val Gly Ile His Cys Glu Thr Glu Val Asp Ala 820 825 830 Cys Ala Ser Ser Pro Cys Gln His Gly Gly Arg Cys Glu Asp Gly Gly 835 840 845 Gly Ala Tyr Leu Cys Val Cys Pro Glu Gly Phe Phe Gly Tyr Asn Cys 850 855 860 Glu Thr Met Ser Asp Pro Cys Phe Ser Ser Pro Cys Gly Ser Arg Gly 865 870 875 880 Tyr Cys Leu Ala Ser Asn Gly Ser His Ser Cys Thr Cys Lys Val Gly 885 890 895 Tyr Thr Gly Lys Asp Cys Thr Lys Glu Leu Leu Pro Pro Thr Ala Leu 900 905 910 Arg Val Glu Arg Val Glu Glu Ser Gly Val Ser Ile Ser Trp Ser Pro 915 920 925 Pro Glu Gly Thr Thr Ala Arg Gln Val Leu Asp Gly Tyr Ala Val Thr 930 935 940 Tyr Ala Ser Ser Asp Gly Ser Ser Arg Arg Thr Asp Phe Val Asp Arg 945 950 955 960 Ser Arg Ser Ser His Gln Leu Arg Ala Leu Ala Ala Gly Arg Ala Tyr 965 970 975 Asn Ile Ser Val Phe Ser Val Lys Arg Asn Thr Asn Asn Lys Asn Asp 980 985 990 Ile Ser Arg Pro Ala Ala Leu Leu Thr Arg Thr Arg Pro Arg Pro Ile 995 1000 1005 Glu Asp Phe Glu Val Thr Asn Ile Ser Ala Asn Ala Ile Ser Val Gln 1010 1015 1020 Trp Ala Leu His Arg Ile Gln His Ala Thr Val Ser Arg Val Arg Val 1025 1030 1035 1040 Ser Ile Leu Tyr Pro Glu Ala Ser Ala Val Gln Ser Thr Glu Val Asp 1045 1050 1055 Arg Ser Val Asp Arg Leu Thr Phe Gly 1060 1065 7 3711 DNA murine stromal cell 7 tgatgactgc cggatcccag tgtggtggaa ttcccgctcg ctacctcgtt cgctcgctgt 60 gggaggagcc cgccagaggt aagccgtgtg cctgggatgc caacaaccag agaatggatc 120 tgctccgagt gggcacattg ctaacgatcc cggcttcccg aggcgactga aaacaagcat 180 ttggtttcgg ctgcctgcag atacccggag acacaacgag acctaagcgg accagaggag 240 ggacagaacc gactgacaga tagatggtcg gcgcccaacc ctggaggacc ggcggcggag 300 gctgagcacc gcgagcccag ccgccgcgct ggaagagaaa ctaactgcac acccaagttg 360 cccgccggct gcccgcgcgc tgaggaatga gacctttcca gctggatttg ctcttcctct 420 gcttcttcct cttcagtcaa gagcttggcc tccagaagag aggatgctgt ctggtactgg 480 gctacatggc caaggacaag tttcggagaa tgaatgaagg tcaagtctac tccttcagcc 540 agcaacccca ggaccaagtg gtggtgtcag gacagccagt gactctgctg tgtgccatcc 600 ctgaatatga tggcttcgtc ctgtggatca aagatggctt ggctctgggt gtaggcagag 660 acctctcaag ttacccccag tacctggtgg tggggaacca cctctcagga gagcatcacc 720 tgaagatcct gagggctgag cttcaggatg atgccgtgta tgagtgccag gccatccagg 780 ctgccatccg gtcccgccct gcacgcctca ccgtcctggt gccaccagat gaccccatca 840 tcctaggggg gcctgtgatc agccttcggg caggggaccc cctcaacctc acctgccacg 900 cagacaatgc caagcctgcg gcttccatca tctggctacg taaaggagag gtcatcaatg 960 gagccaccta ctccaagacc ctgcttcgag acggcaaacg agaaagcatt gtcagcaccc 1020 tcttcatctc cccaggagac gtggaaaatg gacagagtat tgtgtgccga gccaccaaca 1080 aagccatccc cggaggaaaa gagacctctg tcaccataga catccagcat ccaccgcttg 1140 tcaacttgtc cgtggaacca cagccggtat tggaggacaa catcgtcacg ttccactgct 1200 ctgcaaaggc caacccagct gtcacccagt acaggtgggc caaacggggt cacatcatca 1260 aggaggcatc tggggagctg tataggacca cggtggacta cacatacttc tcagagcctg 1320 tatcctgtga agtaaccaat gccctgggca gcaccaacct cagccgcaca gtggatgtat 1380 acttcggtcc tcgaatgacc tcagagcctc agtcactgct ggtagatctg ggctccgatg 1440 ctgtcttcag ctgtgcgtgg atcggcaacc cgtctctgac catcgtgtgg atgaaacgag 1500 gttctggtgt ggtcctgagc aatgaaaaga ccctaaccct caaatctgtc cgccaagagg 1560 atgctgggaa gtacgtgtgc cgggctgtgg tgccccgggt aggagctggg gagagagagg 1620 tgaccttgac tgtcaatgga ccccccatca tctccagcac acagacccag cacgccctcc 1680 acggagagaa gggccagatc aaatgcttca tccggagcac accaccgcct gaccgaattg 1740 cctggtcctg gaaggagaat gtgctggagt cagggacatc agggcgctac acagtggaga 1800 cggtgaacac ggaggaggga gtcatctcca cattgaccat tagcaacatt gtgcgtgctg 1860 acttccagac catatacaac tgtacagcct ggaacagctt tggctctgac acagagatca 1920 tccgactcaa ggaacaagag tctgtaccaa tggccgtcat catcggggtg gccgtaggag 1980 ctggcgtggc cttcctcgtc ctaatggcaa ccattgtggc cttctgctgt gcccgttccc 2040 agagaaatct caaaggtgtt gtatcagcca aaaatgatat tcgagtggaa attgtgcaca 2100 aggagccatc ttctggccgg gaggctgagg accacaccac cataaagcag ctgatgatgg 2160 accggggtga attccaacaa gactcggtgc tgaaacagct ggaggtcctc aaagaagagg 2220 agaaggagtt tcagaacctg aaggacccca ccaacggcta ctacagcgtc aacaccttca 2280 aagaacacca ttcaactcca accatctccc tgtccagctg ccagccagac ctgcgtccga 2340 caggcaaaca gcgtgtgccc acaggcatgt ccttcaccaa catctacagc accttgagcg 2400 gccagggccg cctctacgac tatggacaga ggtttgtgct gggcatgggc agctcttcca 2460 ttgagctttg tgagcgggag tttcagaggg gctccctcag cgacagcagc tccttcctgg 2520 acacgcagtg tgacagcagc gtcagcagca gcggcaagca agatggctac gtgcagtttg 2580 acaaggccag caaggcttct gcctcctctt cccaccattc ccagtcctct tcccagaact 2640 ccgaccccag ccgacccctg cagcggcgga tgcagactca cgtctgagga ccacgccctg 2700 tggtggggga tgggccaagg aggaggacat ggtacattct cgttctccaa ggattggggc 2760 tactttgcag aggaccctag aactggccac ctccggggtg gtctccgagc acctctgtaa 2820 acaccttcct tcaaagctct gatcaagcac aaatctggct cccaggtggg aaatggagag 2880 tatgcagctg agcggatagt gctcaaggcc tctgtctctt gctcttccct aaaggtccct 2940 caaccacctt gtcctcccat gggcactcgt ggcagctaga actttgcttt tatgaaactg 3000 ccgtccactt tcctagctcc tcttgctgcc cataagccat ccctggtgtc tgtattcctt 3060 gcagccttga ggaacggagg actttttccc agcactgagc tgctccggag accccagcct 3120 ccccactgtg catagcctat accgcagagg ctggggcctg agaaatggcc ctgaccaaag 3180 gagcatctgc ctgggagtcc gcccccactt tgtttggtgt ttgtgtctgt attcttgcag 3240 ttctgttctt ggacttgata cctctgcgct tggtggtggg actggcctat cagagtctag 3300 tgtcctcaga gctgaggaag ggaaagaggg aaaatgtgaa ctcctggaga acaactggcc 3360 caacacaccc tgtgccaggc tgtgcagttc agagccctca ccgtcatcct caccccctgc 3420 cccgtgttct cccttccttc ccacagcaca atcgagctaa tccgaggagt gtgagaactc 3480 ctcttgtcag ggttttttga acagttactg aagcgtgctt cctgggagat gtgggtttga 3540 gggggtgctg aaatctaggc tggaggatga gacagactct ttcagctgat gaccacaagg 3600 aacaatgatc cattctccag tagataggac tctgtgtgca agagggacag ttttcttcac 3660 ctctttccca tcactcccca cttaagaata aacgttaggg ccattacccc c 3711 8 766 PRT murine stromal cell 8 Met Arg Pro Phe Gln Leu Asp Leu Leu Phe Leu Cys Phe Phe Leu Phe 1 5 10 15 Ser Gln Glu Leu Gly Leu Gln Lys Arg Gly Cys Cys Leu Val Leu Gly 20 25 30 Tyr Met Ala Lys Asp Lys Phe Arg Arg Met Asn Glu Gly Gln Val Tyr 35 40 45 Ser Phe Ser Gln Gln Pro Gln Asp Gln Val Val Val Ser Gly Gln Pro 50 55 60 Val Thr Leu Leu Cys Ala Ile Pro Glu Tyr Asp Gly Phe Val Leu Trp 65 70 75 80 Ile Lys Asp Gly Leu Ala Leu Gly Val Gly Arg Asp Leu Ser Ser Tyr 85 90 95 Pro Gln Tyr Leu Val Val Gly Asn His Leu Ser Gly Glu His His Leu 100 105 110 Lys Ile Leu Arg Ala Glu Leu Gln Asp Asp Ala Val Tyr Glu Cys Gln 115 120 125 Ala Ile Gln Ala Ala Ile Arg Ser Arg Pro Ala Arg Leu Thr Val Leu 130 135 140 Val Pro Pro Asp Asp Pro Ile Ile Leu Gly Gly Pro Val Ile Ser Leu 145 150 155 160 Arg Ala Gly Asp Pro Leu Asn Leu Thr Cys His Ala Asp Asn Ala Lys 165 170 175 Pro Ala Ala Ser Ile Ile Trp Leu Arg Lys Gly Glu Val Ile Asn Gly 180 185 190 Ala Thr Tyr Ser Lys Thr Leu Leu Arg Asp Gly Lys Arg Glu Ser Ile 195 200 205 Val Ser Thr Leu Phe Ile Ser Pro Gly Asp Val Glu Asn Gly Gln Ser 210 215 220 Ile Val Cys Arg Ala Thr Asn Lys Ala Ile Pro Gly Gly Lys Glu Thr 225 230 235 240 Ser Val Thr Ile Asp Ile Gln His Pro Pro Leu Val Asn Leu Ser Val 245 250 255 Glu Pro Gln Pro Val Leu Glu Asp Asn Ile Val Thr Phe His Cys Ser 260 265 270 Ala Lys Ala Asn Pro Ala Val Thr Gln Tyr Arg Trp Ala Lys Arg Gly 275 280 285 His Ile Ile Lys Glu Ala Ser Gly Glu Leu Tyr Arg Thr Thr Val Asp 290 295 300 Tyr Thr Tyr Phe Ser Glu Pro Val Ser Cys Glu Val Thr Asn Ala Leu 305 310 315 320 Gly Ser Thr Asn Leu Ser Arg Thr Val Asp Val Tyr Phe Gly Pro Arg 325 330 335 Met Thr Ser Glu Pro Gln Ser Leu Leu Val Asp Leu Gly Ser Asp Ala 340 345 350 Val Phe Ser Cys Ala Trp Ile Gly Asn Pro Ser Leu Thr Ile Val Trp 355 360 365 Met Lys Arg Gly Ser Gly Val Val Leu Ser Asn Glu Lys Thr Leu Thr 370 375 380 Leu Lys Ser Val Arg Gln Glu Asp Ala Gly Lys Tyr Val Cys Arg Ala 385 390 395 400 Val Val Pro Arg Val Gly Ala Gly Glu Arg Glu Val Thr Leu Thr Val 405 410 415 Asn Gly Pro Pro Ile Ile Ser Ser Thr Gln Thr Gln His Ala Leu His 420 425 430 Gly Glu Lys Gly Gln Ile Lys Cys Phe Ile Arg Ser Thr Pro Pro Pro 435 440 445 Asp Arg Ile Ala Trp Ser Trp Lys Glu Asn Val Leu Glu Ser Gly Thr 450 455 460 Ser Gly Arg Tyr Thr Val Glu Thr Val Asn Thr Glu Glu Gly Val Ile 465 470 475 480 Ser Thr Leu Thr Ile Ser Asn Ile Val Arg Ala Asp Phe Gln Thr Ile 485 490 495 Tyr Asn Cys Thr Ala Trp Asn Ser Phe Gly Ser Asp Thr Glu Ile Ile 500 505 510 Arg Leu Lys Glu Gln Glu Ser Val Pro Met Ala Val Ile Ile Gly Val 515 520 525 Ala Val Gly Ala Gly Val Ala Phe Leu Val Leu Met Ala Thr Ile Val 530 535 540 Ala Phe Cys Cys Ala Arg Ser Gln Arg Asn Leu Lys Gly Val Val Ser 545 550 555 560 Ala Lys Asn Asp Ile Arg Val Glu Ile Val His Lys Glu Pro Ser Ser 565 570 575 Gly Arg Glu Ala Glu Asp His Thr Thr Ile Lys Gln Leu Met Met Asp 580 585 590 Arg Gly Glu Phe Gln Gln Asp Ser Val Leu Lys Gln Leu Glu Val Leu 595 600 605 Lys Glu Glu Glu Lys Glu Phe Gln Asn Leu Lys Asp Pro Thr Asn Gly 610 615 620 Tyr Tyr Ser Val Asn Thr Phe Lys Glu His His Ser Thr Pro Thr Ile 625 630 635 640 Ser Leu Ser Ser Cys Gln Pro Asp Leu Arg Pro Thr Gly Lys Gln Arg 645 650 655 Val Pro Thr Gly Met Ser Phe Thr Asn Ile Tyr Ser Thr Leu Ser Gly 660 665 670 Gln Gly Arg Leu Tyr Asp Tyr Gly Gln Arg Phe Val Leu Gly Met Gly 675 680 685 Ser Ser Ser Ile Glu Leu Cys Glu Arg Glu Phe Gln Arg Gly Ser Leu 690 695 700 Ser Asp Ser Ser Ser Phe Leu Asp Thr Gln Cys Asp Ser Ser Val Ser 705 710 715 720 Ser Ser Gly Lys Gln Asp Gly Tyr Val Gln Phe Asp Lys Ala Ser Lys 725 730 735 Ala Ser Ala Ser Ser Ser His His Ser Gln Ser Ser Ser Gln Asn Ser 740 745 750 Asp Pro Ser Arg Pro Leu Gln Arg Arg Met Gln Thr His Val 755 760 765 9 2793 DNA murine stromal cell 9 ggagtctgga gccggagcca gagaccgggg ctgggaaacc ccagcccggg acgggacgca 60 gcagcctctg gatcccggga ccccggacct ctcaggaccg gccagaggtg aaggactgag 120 gccccactga ggccttggac cgcaccgcct ggctccttca gccgcagtcg tctcctggga 180 cagaagatgc actccaggag ctgcctgcca cctctcctgt tgttgcttct ggtgctcctg 240 gggtctggag tacagggttg cccatcaggc tgccagtgca accagccaca gacagtcttc 300 tgcactgccc gtcagggaac cacagtgccc cgagacgtgc cacctgacac agtgggcctg 360 tacatctttg agaacggcat cacgacactt gatgtgggct gttttgctgg ccttccgggc 420 ctgcagcttc tggacttgtc acagaaccag atcactagcc tgcccggggg catctttcag 480 ccacttgtta acctcagtaa cctggacctg actgccaaca aactgcacga gatctccaac 540 gagaccttcc gtggcctgcg gcgcctggag cgcctctacc tgggcaagaa ccgaattcgc 600 cacatccaac cgggtgcctt cgacgcgctt gatcgcctcc tggagctcaa gctgccagac 660 aatgagcttc gggtgttgcc cccattgcac ttgccccgcc tgctgctgct tgacctcagc 720 cacaacagca tcccagccct ggaagccgga atactggata ccgccaatgt agaggcattg 780 aggttggctg gcctagggct gcggcagctg gatgaggggc tttttggccg ccttctcaac 840 ctccatgact tggatgttta tgacaaccag ttggagcata tgccatctgt gattcaaggc 900 ctgcgtggcc tgacacgcct gcggctggct ggcaacaccc gtattgccca gatacggccc 960 gaggacctcg ctggtctgac tgccctacag gaattggatg tgagcaacct aagcctgcag 1020 gccctgccca gtgacctctc gagtctcttt ccccgcctgc gcctcttagc agctgccagg 1080 aaccccttca actgcttgtg ccccttgagc tggtttggtc cttgggtgcg tgagaaccat 1140 gttgtgttgg ccagccctga ggagacgcgt tgtcactttc cacccaagaa tgctggccga 1200 ctgctcctgg atctggatta tgcagatttt ggctgcccag tcaccactac cacggccaca 1260 gtacctacta taaggtctac tatcagggaa cccacacttt caacttctag ccaagctccc 1320 acctggccca gcctcacaga gccaactacc caggcctcca ccgtactatc gactgcccca 1380 ccaaccatga ggccagctcc tcagccccag gactgtccag catccatctg cctgaatggt 1440 ggtagctgcc gtttgggagc aagacaccac tgggagtgcc tatgccctga gggcttcatt 1500 ggcctgtact gtgagagtcc agtggagcaa gggatgaagc ccagctccat accagacact 1560 ccaaggcccc ctccactgct gcctctcagc attgagccgg tgagccccac ctccttgcgt 1620 gtgaagctgc agcgctactt gcagggtaac actgtgcagc tacggagcct ccggctcacc 1680 tatcgcaacc tgtctggccc tgacaaacga ctggtgacat tacggctgcc tgcttcactt 1740 gcagagtata cagtcaccca gctgcgaccc aatgccacct attctatctg tgtcacaccc 1800 ttgggagctg gacggacacc tgaaggtgag gaggcctgtg gggaggccaa cacttcccag 1860 gcagtccgct ctaaccatgc cccagttacc caggcccgtg agggcaacct gccactcctc 1920 attgcgcctg ccctggctgc tgtacttctg gctgtgttag ccgctgcagg ggcagcctac 1980 tgtgtgcggc gggcacgggc aacttctaca gctcaggaca aagggcaggt ggggccaggg 2040 actggacccc tggaactaga gggggtgaaa gcccctttgg agccaggctc caaggcaaca 2100 gagggaggtg gggaggcttt gtcaggtggt cctgaatgtg aggtgcctct tatgggctac 2160 ccagggccca gccttcaggg ggtcctccct gctaagcact acatttagac tggtgagaaa 2220 gagcagccag ggggtcaggc tttcagtcac caccctcctg ctgccacaga aggaagttct 2280 cagtatacac cacagtgcac gtgcatgatg gagctgtggg accctctctg ggctgggtct 2340 catctgtaag ctgctacagc ccagatgaac tctgccagcc gccagtgcat ccagtacagc 2400 gcctgccatc ttgtgcaatg tgcaaccctg ggatgtgagc cctgccatgt gctggtaaca 2460 tggctaggca tgttgggctt cccaaaccat ggagtctggt aaccagtgaa ggaagccccc 2520 agaaataatg agtggggaag gtactagggc actggccttg gcctcaaaag tgcaggcaca 2580 cttgaaactg gaaaggaagg tgctctgggc acatgtggat ttgcttctat tgttttgttt 2640 tgttttttct aatgtattta taaaagatct tttcccattt atgctgggaa agtgtttttc 2700 aaactcagtg acaaggactt tggtttttgt aagactgttg atgatatgaa ggccttttgt 2760 aagaaaataa aaaataaagt aaattgcctg tct 2793 10 673 PRT murine stromal cell 10 Met His Ser Arg Ser Cys Leu Pro Pro Leu Leu Leu Leu Leu Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Leu Leu Gly Ser Gly Val Gln Gly Cys Pro Ser Gly Cys Gln Cys Asn 20 25 30 Gln Pro Gln Thr Val Phe Cys Thr Ala Arg Gln Gly Thr Thr Val Pro 35 40 45 Arg Asp Val Pro Pro Asp Thr Val Gly Leu Tyr Ile Phe Glu Asn Gly 50 55 60 Ile Thr Thr Leu Asp Val Gly Cys Phe Ala Gly Leu Pro Gly Leu Gln 65 70 75 80 Leu Leu Asp Leu Ser Gln Asn Gln Ile Thr Ser Leu Pro Gly Gly Ile 85 90 95 Phe Gln Pro Leu Val Asn Leu Ser Asn Leu Asp Leu Thr Ala Asn Lys 100 105 110 Leu His Glu Ile Ser Asn Glu Thr Phe Arg Gly Leu Arg Arg Leu Glu 115 120 125 Arg Leu Tyr Leu Gly Lys Asn Arg Ile Arg His Ile Gln Pro Gly Ala 130 135 140 Phe Asp Ala Leu Asp Arg Leu Leu Glu Leu Lys Leu Pro Asp Asn Glu 145 150 155 160 Leu Arg Val Leu Pro Pro Leu His Leu Pro Arg Leu Leu Leu Leu Asp 165 170 175 Leu Ser His Asn Ser Ile Pro Ala Leu Glu Ala Gly Ile Leu Asp Thr 180 185 190 Ala Asn Val Glu Ala Leu Arg Leu Ala Gly Leu Gly Leu Arg Gln Leu 195 200 205 Asp Glu Gly Leu Phe Gly Arg Leu Leu Asn Leu His Asp Leu Asp Val 210 215 220 Tyr Asp Asn Gln Leu Glu His Met Pro Ser Val Ile Gln Gly Leu Arg 225 230 235 240 Gly Leu Thr Arg Leu Arg Leu Ala Gly Asn Thr Arg Ile Ala Gln Ile 245 250 255 Arg Pro Glu Asp Leu Ala Gly Leu Thr Ala Leu Gln Glu Leu Asp Val 260 265 270 Ser Asn Leu Ser Leu Gln Ala Leu Pro Ser Asp Leu Ser Ser Leu Phe 275 280 285 Pro Arg Leu Arg Leu Leu Ala Ala Ala Arg Asn Pro Phe Asn Cys Leu 290 295 300 Cys Pro Leu Ser Trp Phe Gly Pro Trp Val Arg Glu Asn His Val Val 305 310 315 320 Leu Ala Ser Pro Glu Glu Thr Arg Cys His Phe Pro Pro Lys Asn Ala 325 330 335 Gly Arg Leu Leu Leu Asp Leu Asp Tyr Ala Asp Phe Gly Cys Pro Val 340 345 350 Thr Thr Thr Thr Ala Thr Val Pro Thr Ile Arg Ser Thr Ile Arg Glu 355 360 365 Pro Thr Leu Ser Thr Ser Ser Gln Ala Pro Thr Trp Pro Ser Leu Thr 370 375 380 Glu Pro Thr Thr Gln Ala Ser Thr Val Leu Ser Thr Ala Pro Pro Thr 385 390 395 400 Met Arg Pro Ala Pro Gln Pro Gln Asp Cys Pro Ala Ser Ile Cys Leu 405 410 415 Asn Gly Gly Ser Cys Arg Leu Gly Ala Arg His His Trp Glu Cys Leu 420 425 430 Cys Pro Glu Gly Phe Ile Gly Leu Tyr Cys Glu Ser Pro Val Glu Gln 435 440 445 Gly Met Lys Pro Ser Ser Ile Pro Asp Thr Pro Arg Pro Pro Pro Leu 450 455 460 Leu Pro Leu Ser Ile Glu Pro Val Ser Pro Thr Ser Leu Arg Val Lys 465 470 475 480 Leu Gln Arg Tyr Leu Gln Gly Asn Thr Val Gln Leu Arg Ser Leu Arg 485 490 495 Leu Thr Tyr Arg Asn Leu Ser Gly Pro Asp Lys Arg Leu Val Thr Leu 500 505 510 Arg Leu Pro Ala Ser Leu Ala Glu Tyr Thr Val Thr Gln Leu Arg Pro 515 520 525 Asn Ala Thr Tyr Ser Ile Cys Val Thr Pro Leu Gly Ala Gly Arg Thr 530 535 540 Pro Glu Gly Glu Glu Ala Cys Gly Glu Ala Asn Thr Ser Gln Ala Val 545 550 555 560 Arg Ser Asn His Ala Pro Val Thr Gln Ala Arg Glu Gly Asn Leu Pro 565 570 575 Leu Leu Ile Ala Pro Ala Leu Ala Ala Val Leu Leu Ala Val Leu Ala 580 585 590 Ala Ala Gly Ala Ala Tyr Cys Val Arg Arg Ala Arg Ala Thr Ser Thr 595 600 605 Ala Gln Asp Lys Gly Gln Val Gly Pro Gly Thr Gly Pro Leu Glu Leu 610 615 620 Glu Gly Val Lys Ala Pro Leu Glu Pro Gly Ser Lys Ala Thr Glu Gly 625 630 635 640 Gly Gly Glu Ala Leu Ser Gly Gly Pro Glu Cys Glu Val Pro Leu Met 645 650 655 Gly Tyr Pro Gly Pro Ser Leu Gln Gly Val Leu Pro Ala Lys His Tyr 660 665 670 Ile 11 1312 DNA murine stromal cell 11 cataccgtgt gcggtttcct gttcttcttc ccttctgttt ttttttcttc gtttatttca 60 ctgttcgaat ctttgggttc tatctcttga tgtgtaggat tcctttccgt gtgtaccaat 120 tgttatgtct ttctgttatg gcatacctca gtcgtccttc cagccgtcta tttggtgttc 180 tagctgccaa atagtgaagt gatagaatac ccaaccccac tagctgtgcc atactctttc 240 caggcatgag gaagagactg aaccatcatc atctcaggct tgactcaggg atgaccagag 300 gcccagtgtt taatgcttgg ttctactaac tatatggaag gctgtcttta ctctccatag 360 ctaagaaccc cagcccagca tggaagtctt tttgttacta ctgacaaggt tgtgcctgct 420 cacacacctg gaaggacacc ctgcttcttt caagactttc aagcagccag agcaggtgag 480 gagagcatca cctcctgcta acatccacct tgtcatgaca gcactagccc ccctgtcctg 540 tcactaccaa gaaactagtt cttacttggt tccccgagtt gtcctccata tgccttccaa 600 aaaatccttt tctccccaat gtcagtttcc tggtatagga cctctttgta tgactatctc 660 agttagcgag ctcagccaag gcagcatgag gtaaatatgg gatcattatc acccctagcc 720 acagcacttc acaactgtac tatctgtcat ggctcttact gtcaccatgt ggtaagccat 780 cttcccctat ctttaagtca cccattttaa aggtatccaa atacatggta tattgctttc 840 aggatgttcc actgtatcaa atagggtttc cacactataa aatattgttt cctatagtac 900 agtaagattg tttcttaaca ctttgtctca catataaatg agagctaaaa gacaaatgcc 960 aaggaaagac aggataaagc tctctacttc tggcttgatg attcttgagt agatctacgt 1020 ttgtagttgg taagttagtc aagagtgtcc ctgacctttg aaagttagca agaaatagcc 1080 acacatgtag catcagtact gatttgtcat tattgatcca gacggttgat cattaatgga 1140 gtcccttcat ttccagctgg ttctagggct atgctttcgc ccaaaagaaa gctatcatca 1200 tagccaaggg agcatacctg ttcttttcac aaagaagaat ttaaaaaccc tgtcttaaca 1260 agtctttaaa aaagaatgct gtgaaaggtt ggtctcataa agaaaaaaag cc 1312 12 104 PRT murine stromal cell 12 Met Glu Val Phe Leu Leu Leu Leu Thr Arg Leu Cys Leu Leu Thr His 1 5 10 15 Leu Glu Gly His Pro Ala Ser Phe Lys Thr Phe Lys Gln Pro Glu Gln 20 25 30 Val Arg Arg Ala Ser Pro Pro Ala Asn Ile His Leu Val Met Thr Ala 35 40 45 Leu Ala Pro Leu Ser Cys His Tyr Gln Glu Thr Ser Ser Tyr Leu Val 50 55 60 Pro Arg Val Val Leu His Met Pro Ser Lys Lys Ser Phe Ser Pro Gln 65 70 75 80 Cys Gln Phe Pro Gly Ile Gly Pro Leu Cys Met Thr Ile Ser Val Ser 85 90 95 Glu Leu Ser Gln Gly Ser Met Arg 100 13 428 PRT murine stromal cell SIGNAL (1)..(18) 13 Met Arg Ala Leu Cys Leu Leu Cys Trp Ala Val Leu Leu Asn Leu Val 1 5 10 15 Arg Ala Cys Pro Glu Pro Cys Asp Cys Gly Glu Lys Tyr Gly Phe Gln 20 25 30 Ile Ala Asp Cys Ala Tyr Arg Asp Leu Glu Gly Val Pro Pro Gly Phe 35 40 45 Pro Ala Asn Val Thr Thr Leu Ser Leu Ser Ala Asn Arg Leu Pro Gly 50 55 60 Leu Pro Glu Gly Ala Phe Arg Glu Val Pro Leu Leu Gln Ser Leu Trp 65 70 75 80 Leu Ala His Asn Glu Ile Arg Ser Val Ala Ile Gly Ala Leu Ala Pro 85 90 95 Leu Ser His Leu Lys Ser Leu Asp Leu Ser His Asn Leu Leu Ser Glu 100 105 110 Phe Ala Trp Ser Asp Leu His Asn Leu Ser Ala Leu Gln Leu Leu Lys 115 120 125 Met Asp Ser Asn Glu Leu Ala Phe Ile Pro Arg Asp Ala Phe Ser Ser 130 135 140 Leu Ser Ala Leu Arg Ser Leu Gln Leu Asn His Asn Arg Leu His Ala 145 150 155 160 Leu Ala Glu Gly Thr Phe Ala Pro Leu Thr Ala Leu Ser His Leu Gln 165 170 175 Ile Asn Asp Asn Pro Phe Asp Cys Thr Cys Gly Ile Val Trp Phe Lys 180 185 190 Thr Trp Ala Leu Ala Ser Ala Val Ser Ile Pro Glu Gln Asp Asn Ile 195 200 205 Ala Cys Thr Thr Pro His Val Leu Lys Gly Ile Pro Leu Gly Arg Leu 210 215 220 Pro Pro Leu Pro Cys Ser Ala Pro Ser Val Gln Leu Ser Tyr Gln Pro 225 230 235 240 Ser Gln Asp Gly Ala Glu Leu Arg Pro Gly Phe Val Leu Ala Leu His 245 250 255 Cys Asp Val Asp Gly Gln Pro Val Pro Gln Leu His Trp His Ile His 260 265 270 Thr Pro Gly Gly Thr Val Glu Ile Ala Ser Pro Asn Val Gly Thr Asp 275 280 285 Gly Arg Ala Leu Pro Gly Ala Leu Ala Thr Ser Gly Gln Pro Arg Phe 290 295 300 Gln Ala Phe Ala Asn Gly Ser Leu Leu Ile Pro Asp Phe Gly Lys Leu 305 310 315 320 Glu Glu Gly Thr Tyr Ser Cys Leu Ala Thr Asn Glu Leu Gly Ser Ala 325 330 335 Glu Ser Ser Val Asn Val Ala Leu Ala Thr Pro Gly Glu Gly Gly Glu 340 345 350 Asp Ala Val Gly His Lys Phe His Gly Lys Ala Val Glu Gly Lys Gly 355 360 365 Cys Tyr Thr Val Asp Asn Glu Val Gln Pro Ser Gly Pro Glu Asp Asn 370 375 380 Val Val Ile Ile Tyr Leu Ser Arg Ala Gly Pro Pro Glu Ala Ala Ile 385 390 395 400 Ala Ala Asp Gly Arg Pro Ala Gln Gln Phe Ser Gly Ile Leu Leu Leu 405 410 415 Gly Gln Ser Leu Leu Val Leu Ser Phe Phe Tyr Phe 420 425 

1. A gene encoding a protein (a) or (b): (a) an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 or 12, (b) a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which consists of an amino acid sequence formed as a result of a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence (a).
 2. A gene comprising a DNA (a) or (b): (a) a DNA consisting of the base sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 or
 11. (b) a DNA encoding a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which hybridizes under a stringent condition with a DNA consisting of the base sequence (a). 3-12 (Cancelled)
 13. A protein encoded by a gene according to claim 1 or
 2. 14. A recombinant expression vehicle comprising at least one gene according claim 1 or
 2. 15. A recombinant expression vehicle according to claim 14 which is a recombinant plasmid vector.
 16. A recombinant expression vehicle according to claim 14 which is a recombinant retrovirus vector.
 17. A transformant obtained by a transformation by an expression vehicle according to claim
 14. 18. A transformant according to claim 17 which is a COS-7 cell.
 19. A transformant according to claim 17 which is a stromal cell.
 20. A method for producing a protein comprising culturing a transformant according to claim
 17. 21. A method for regulating the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity of a stromal cell comprising transforming said stromal cell with at least one gene according to claim 1 or
 2. 22. A method according to claim 21 further comprising amplifying the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity.
 23. A method according to claim 21 further comprising inhibiting the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity.
 24. A method for regulating a hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity according to claim 21 wherein said stromal cell is a mouse stromal cell.
 25. A method for modifying the hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity of a stromal cell comprising transforming said stromal cell with a gene encoding a protein (a) or (b): (a) an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 13, (b) a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which consists of an amino acid sequence formed as a result of a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence (a).
 26. A method according to claim 25 further comprising amplifying the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity.
 27. A method according to claim 25 further comprising inhibiting the hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity.
 28. A method for regulating a hematopoietic stem cell-proliferating activity according to claim 25 wherein said stromal cell is a mouse stromal cell.
 29. A composition for regulating a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation comprising as an active ingredient at least one protein according to claim 13 and/or (a) an amino acid sequence represented by SEQ ID No. 13, (b) a protein having a hematopoietic stem cell proliferation-regulating activity which consists of an amino acid sequence formed as a result of a deletion, substitution or addition of one or several amino acids in the amino acid sequence (a).
 30. An antibody directed to a protein encoded by a gene according to claim 1 or 2 or a partial peptide thereof.
 31. An antibody according to claim 30 which is a polyclonal antibody.
 32. An antibody according to claim 31 which is a polyclonal antibody directed to an SDHF-4.
 33. A method for isolating a stromal cell using an antibody according claim
 30. 34. A method according to claim 33 wherein the stromal cell is a myelopoiesis-supporting cell. 